The following was read out at the Seniors AGM on Wednesday 14th November.

Senior members may I firstly thank our Secretary Mike for his help and advice throughout this year. Under very awkward circumstances Mike has been extremely hard working after going through a serious operation putting him out of action and unable to be with us this year. Nevertheless I have been able to have contact with him for most of the time and this has helped with the organising and running of our senior section. 

I must thank the following for their help, our office staff, Karen and Tracey whose help has been very much appreciated. My Vice Captain, Dave Burgess for his assistance when I have required it. I believe Dave will make a good Seniors Captain for us and look forward to him taking up this position. My next thanks must go to our Treasurer Trevor Smedley and to Jim Cumberbatch whose help and advice has always been forthcoming. Thank you both. 

It's been a somewhat difficult year without Mike at the helm, but with the help from many of you we have been able to get through this year and complete all our fixtures. We played 26 matches, winning 9, drawing 3 and loosing 14. Having said this it has been a most enjoyable time and this is what senior's golf is all about. You gents make this seniors section a huge success. With help from the weather it has meant that we have enjoyed our golf even more. 

Our Seniors Open was a great success and thanks to all the ladies and gents for helping us achieve this. Again the curtailing of the presentation helped to make the day easier. 

My Captain's Day Away at Davenport was a success and my thanks to all those who helped me. Nick Wittich was the winner on the day. Well done Nick. The Fred Carr Trophy was won by our Vice Captain, Dave Burgess. Well done Dave. The match against the Ladies resulted in a win by 4-1 to the gents. Very well done gents. 

I would like you all to pass on to your wives or partners my sincere thanks for their understanding this year. It has been appreciated. 

Finally may I say it's been a pleasure and priviledge to have served as your Seniors Captain and to have represented our Club in this position. Sincere thanks to you all for your continued support throughout the year. 

Your 2018 Seniors Captain - Ken Ratcliffe 

I’m again sorry to have to start this update on a sad note. You may or may not be aware of the death of one of our most long standing members, Roger Gregory. Roger was a member of LGC for over 56 years. He served as Club Captain in 1997 and was Club President in 2010. Roger as I remember him was a very nice gent, who always had a smile and a word for all of us whom he came into contact with. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family at this sad time.

On Friday the 28th September we saw the long awaited match, Ladies v Seniors for the Pink/Blue Ribbon – The Garner Trophy. This event was enjoyed by all and resulted in a win for the Senior Gents by 4 – 1. Thanks to our Lady Captain, Lynne who managed to get the game back into our Club Fixtures. We look forward to next year’s return match and hope it gets well supported.

We have only two Club matches left for 2018, Astbury away on Friday 5th October and Congleton at home on Monday 8th October. In addition to these we have our Fred Carr Trophy on Friday 12th October. Our season finishes on Friday 7th December with our Christmas Party and Golf (weather permitting). Please make a note in your diaries Gents and try and support if you can.

It’s great to see the return of John Isaacs to golf after his operation. “John, they may have taken a part from you, but they haven’t taken your sense of humour.” Just keep it going John.

Finally our Seniors AGM is on the 7th November (Time to be confirmed). Please try to attend and have your say. It is important.

Thanks Gents – Your Seniors Captain, Ken Ratcliffe.

On the 20th July I had my Senior Captain’s Away Day at Davenport Golf Club. 37 members joined me in an enjoyable days golf and excellent meal.

Our thanks have been emailed to their Secretary and to pass on to all their staff a big THANK YOU for looking after us in a most professional way. We were treated with the upmost respect from our arrival until our departure. I’m pleased to say a great day was had by all.

Prize Winners

1st Place Nick Wittich 39 Points

2nd Place Roger Sharratt 37 Points

3rd Place Jim Blairs 36 Points (Won on Back 9)

4th Place Dave Burgess 36 Points

Nearest the Pin on the 16th Dave Smith (Endon)

Nearest the Pin on the 10th Ken Ratcliffe (Senior Captain)

Over 70’s Prize Dave Smith (Endon)

My personal thanks must go to the following gents for their help in organising the event and in making it a most successful and memorable day; Trevor Smedley, Mick Wainwright, Dave Burgess (Senior Vice Captain), Dave Toft, Tony Brindley, Mick Hughes and Kevin Yeomans.

I gave apologies on the day from some of our most senior members, Bernard Whittaker, Roy Emery, Don Eardley, Mike Ottewell and Bernard Matthews. Gents, I sincerely hope that all is now well with you and your families. My thanks also to our Club President Mr Dave Allen for giving up his time to be with us on this special day.

Our Seniors Secretary Mick Wainwright is progressing quite well following his operation and looks forward to joining us very soon. He sends his best regards to you all. John Isaacs is doing well following his operation and sends his regards too. He hopes to be back playing very soon.

I would like to finish this newsletter with again a very big THANK YOU for your continued support.

Thanks Gents,

Your Seniors Captain, Ken Ratcliffe

On the 1st June our Senior Section held its annual Seniors Open. It's with pride I can report that this event went very well & as reported by our Senior Secretary, Mike Wainwright it attracted senior golfers from 37 different clubs. 

The feedback from a great number of players was excellent . They were very impressed with the complete set up, from car park to registration. They also commented on how well our course is, & further to this how well they were greeted by all plus our hospitality throughout the day. 

My sincere thanks to all those who gave up their time to help make this a successful day. All of you have been mentioned in our Secretary's Report & derservedly so. We now look forward to next years open 2019, interest in this has already commenced. 

Just a quick update since my last newsletter; We have played, Stone (Lost 5 1/2 - 1 1/2), Brocton (Won 6 - 2), Trentham Park (Lost 6 - 2) Ingestre Park (Won 6 1/2 - 1 1/2) & Buxton High Peak (Lost 6 - 2). 

Gents we are now looking well in our dresscode (white shirts) & (black jumpers), those who have still to aquire these please do so as it has started to impress with other clubs. 

Many thanks for your continued support. 

Your Captain,

Ken Ratcliffe

The Senior Section held its annual Seniors Open on Friday 1st June 2018 for players aged 55 years and over. The event attracts interest from all across Staffordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire. This year there were players competing from 37 different golf clubs. The competition was fully booked with a total of 98 pairs entering.

The tournament is a Stableford Fourball Better Ball for teams of two and prizes are awarded to the first 5 places with 2 prizes for the over 70s outside the top 5. This was also prizes for the nearest the pin on the 7th, 11th and nearest the pin in two on the 17th and should anyone get a Hole in One on the day there was a prize for that too!

A total of £500 was raised on the day which has been divided between the two senior chosen charities: Horton Lodge Special School & The Donna Louise Trust.

I would like to thank everybody who helped to make it such a successful day:

Raffle: Jacqueline Salt, Jackie Sumerling, Lady Captain - Lynne Ball, Lady Secretary - Karen Wilshaw, Hazel McGrady, Nell Boulton, Janet Allen & Anita Wainwright.

Millenium Hut: Carol Nixon & family & friends.

Paramedic For The Day Steve Smith. 

Starters: Club President - David Allen.

Seniors Support Staff: Senior Captain - Ken Ratcliffe, Senior Vice Captain - Dave Burgess, Past Senior Captain - Alan Bonehill. 

Administration: Mike Wainwright (Senior Secretary), Trevor Smedley (Treasurer) & Jim Cumberbatch.

Hon. Match Secretary: Mike Barker.

Carpark Attendants: Joe Smith & Wilf Bentley.

Club Professional: Greg Rogula & Assistant Pro: Jacob Bagshaw.

Club Catering: Adam & Team.

Bar Catering: Tony & Team. 

Greens: Frank Colclough, John Turner, Ralph Harrison & Team for all their hard work getting the course in fantastic condition.

Office Adminstration: Tracey & Karen.

Here's to our Senior's Open 2019!

Michael Wainwright

Senior Secretary